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Virginia Stamp Act Resolutions

Colonial Williamsburg

Patrick Henry's Stamp Act resolves

Patrick Henry, at a meeting of the Virginia House of Burgesses, proposed
seven resolutions against the Stamp Act. The first four resolutions were
adopted and passed by the House of Burgesses. The Fifth resolution was
repealed on the second day of the debates. Though resolutions six and
seven were never passed by the House, all seven were widely reported in
the colonial press giving the impression that all passed the Virginia Assembly.

The following four resolves were adopted by the House of Burgesses
on May 30, 1765:

Resolved, that the first adventurers and settlers of His
Majesty's colony and dominion of Virginia brought with them and
transmitted to their posterity, and all other His Majesty's subjects
since inhabiting in this His Majesty's said colony, all the liberties,
privileges, franchises, and immunities that have at any time been
held, enjoyed, and possessed by the people of Great Britain.

Resolved, that by two royal charters, granted by King James
I, the colonists aforesaid are declared entitled to all liberties,
privileges, and immunities of denizens and natural subjects to
all intents and purposes as if they had been abiding and born
within the Realm of England.

Resolved, that the taxation of the people by themselves,
or by persons chosen by themselves to represent them, who can
only know what taxes the people are able to bear, or the easiest
method of raising them, and must themselves be affected by every
tax laid on the people, is the only security against a burdensome
taxation, and the distinguishing characteristic of British freedom,
without which the ancient constitution cannot exist.

Resolved, that His Majesty's liege people of this his most
ancient and loyal colony have without interruption enjoyed the
inestimable right of being governed by such laws, respecting their
internal policy and taxation, as are derived from their own consent,
with the approbation of their sovereign, or his substitute; and
that the same has never been forfeited or yielded up, but has
been constantly recognized by the kings and people of Great Britain.

The following version of the much-debated fifth resolution
(which was not adopted) was found with Patrick Henry's
will:

Resolved, therefor that the General Assembly of this Colony
have the only and exclusive Right and Power to lay Taxes
and Impositions upon the inhabitants of this Colony and that every
Attempt to vest such Power in any person or persons whatsoever
other than the General Assembly aforesaid has a manifest Tendency
to destroy British as well as American Freedom.

Source: John Pendleton Kennedy, ed., Journals of the House
of Burgesses of Virginia, 1761-1765 (Richmond, Va., 1907).